Konichiwa, SolidWorks ninjas. Welcome to the dojo (Designing Objects Journeymen Organization). Let’s flip roll right into our training regime. Mid Plane Is Your Symmetrical Friend As we take our 2D sketches from the flat world into the third Extruded Boss/Base Feature dimension we have options. Some options utilize references as drivers. When not using reference…

Efficiency. Glorious efficiency. The streamlined and punctual Japanese train system. The meticulous movement of precision components in a Swiss made watch. The time saving zzzchick of Velcro shoes. I don’t know about you, but I am getting goosebumps. Certain cultures, like the Germans and their engineers in particular, are known for prizing the concept of…

There’s nothing like an impromptu SolidWorks test to get the blood pumpin’. Especially for the job candidate or new hire you spring it on. Strikes the fear of insane modeling practices in them, it does. Plus, it will show you if their completely incompetent or if they just need an extra helping of SolidWorks training…

Not that you’re a handmaiden, or could be. All I need to say is one word, Buuuuutter. A layer of it should cover everything, including your modeling processes, and your bacon. What does butter have to do with 3D CAD? Absolutely everything my cow-slapping friends. You need ways to get things done finger-lickin’ fast. We’re…

After really thinking about this post, getting some feedback and losing a slap fight with an angry camel trader, I’ve decided to totally revamp the former SolidWorks Success post and put them in all together. It lacks the detail I originally determined I wanted to put into the points, but the angst about not having…

Oh, the joys of using a really poorly modeled part and trying not to tear someone’s head off. Quell your rage with this. We’re going to deconstruct a simple part to show you exactly how to optimize part building in SolidWorks. The part is simple but each tiny facet hold the possibilities of wrecking havoc…

It’s inevitable. A hundred models of a screw and they’re all created a different way. I’m telling ya, it’s an open flesh wound just waiting to get infected. Companies often jump into the 3D modeling fray without laying out an SolidWorks implementation plan. But, even when things are implemented correctly, the details of model creation…